Rolex Sydney to Hobart- Lead Change as fleet slows

by Rob Kothe and the Sail-World Team on 26 Dec 2013 Rolex Sydney to Hobart 2013 fleet slows off Ulladulla, 100 nautical miles south of Sydney. Some eight and a half hours after the start of the 69th race Anthony Bell’s Perpetual Loyal is now marginally in front of Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI, in soft conditions on the NSW south coast. (In the hour since this lead change, Loyal has put a mile on the six times race leader.)

Behind them is New Zealander Jim Delegat’s Giacoma, the Volvo 70. Fourth is Karl Kwok’s Botin 80 Beau Geste travelling at similar speed. Peter Harburg's Volvo 70 Black Jack surprisingly well placed. Next another mile back inside the rhumbline is Fischer’s Ragamuffin 100 has a little bit more speed but will need it. She is now seven miles behind the race leader. Then comes, another four miles behind Ragamuffin, is Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing.

That group have broken clear from the rest of the 92 boat fleet.

Nine miles behind is Jarhard Ruether’s Zefiro a fast cruising 100 footer and Mat Allen’s Ichi Ban, the new Carkeek 60 some 20 nm behind the race leader.

Giacoma leads the race on IRC handicap from Tom Brewer’s skippered Swan 82 Nikata, third place is Chris Manton’s Senna.

On ORCi Senna leads from Pennant Hill’s Ian Creak with Daryl Hodgkinson’s Victorie in third place. On PHS it’s Spirit of Mateship that leads Faceboat Sailors with DisAbilities in the Clipper fleet.

Henri Lloyd leads Derry-Londonderry-Doire ahead of Switzerland in the Sydney 38 fleet. Gordon Ketelbey’s Zen is two miles ahead of Tony Levett’s TSA Management with Glen Clinnick’s Audacious third.